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Rise of Jonathan  thanks to Palacio and Campa

Was gonna post this in Jonathan's thread, but fuck it he can have another thread. (important parts in bold if you're too lazy to read it all)

As much as I dislike the three-back formation, I think it has done wonders in bringing the best out of Jonathan.

In simple terms, Mazzarri's 3-5-2 (and variations thereof) leaves Jonathan in a fairly difficult position to pick up, mark, and defend. For example, in today's match, Catania were playing two players wide on their left (Inter's right) in a 4-3-3  left back Luciano Monzon and left winger Lucas Castro. Neither of them were sure who was going to mark Jonathan  Monzon was too deep and would leave space behind him if he pushed up, and Castro was too high up (as he was playing as a forward). That left Jonathan in acres of space.

It's often assumed that all attacking fullbacks are the same, but just like any other position, different fullbacks have different strengths. I was never quite sure what Jonathan's greatest asset was  his one-on-one and penalty box defending is often mediocre, and his dribbling is okay but not great. However, I think the past few games have highlighted what Jonathan is best at  making unmarked runs into space.

It wasn't quite as apparent in the second half, but in the first today Jonathan would constantly pop up near Catania's corner flag, seemingly out of nowhere. There was a chance early on when it was 0-0 that highlights this well, when Jonathan (I think...) received the ball on the run and had a shot at the near post. (if someone has extended highlights and could post this...)

Of course, Mazzarri isn't the first manager to play Jonathan as a wingback in a three-back formation  Gasperini and Stramaccioni did it too. But I think it works much better for Mazzarri's team because of Palacio and Campagnaro. To put it simply, Palacio and Campa occupied Monzon and Castro, respectively. In the past, when Jonathan has played as a wingback, his right center back has been someone like Ranocchia or Lucio  someone who's not a great attacking threat. Campa is a good at dribbling and passing  he's a genuine attacking threat. So Catania needed to have Castro occupy him, but that left Jonathan free.

And we know Palacio isn't a traditional striker  he likes to move from wing to wing. Today, he spent a lot of time drifting toward Inter's right flank, drawing Monzon toward him. With Monzon being drawn out of position, Jonathan had plenty of space to exploit. When Monzon did try to track Jonathan, he left Palacio open. The second demonstrates this nicely, as Monzon approaches Jonathan (who has the ball), leaving Palacio free to receive the ball behind him. Unmarked in the box, Palacio picks out Nagatomo to make it 0-2.

Of course, this doesn't mean Jonathan will be so freely unmarked in every game. Not every team in Italy plays 4-3-3 (in fact most don't), and were we to play an opponent that plays with wingbacks like we do, Jonathan would have a harder time with a direct opponent in front of him. Still, it's been an encouraging start from the Brazilian.

Jonathan is rising because he got the skills, got the potential, and got the never give up mentality of a champion.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

No doubt – but Mazzarri (or rather Palacio and Campagnaro) has created an optimal environment for him to finally showcase his talents. Jonathan looked decent at the tail end of last season but he was really shining against Catania.

No doubt – but Mazzarri (or rather Palacio and Campagnaro) has created an optimal environment for him to finally showcase his talents. Jonathan looked decent at the tail end of last season but he was really shining against Catania.

I disagree, I think Jonathan is improving the way Palacio and Campagnaro are playing, and in fact the offensive power of our entire right wing.

Palacio very rarely was involved in build up play, but with Jonathan there, Palacio has managed to become more involved because Jonathan is able to play the through pass to him and combines play with him. Jonathan is a beast with exchanging passes with his team mates and off-ball movements, known as 'pass and move', which is often seen in a Barca player.

Campagnaro was originally very good already, but Jonathan's off-ball movements has made Campagnaro's job much easier where defenders are dragged out and away by Jonathan. And of course, Jonathan's ability in running into space has increased the chances of Campagnaro making a 'key pass'.

In other words, it's the complementary of three very good players that turned them all into world class players, producing world class plays.

Finally, a normal Korean guy. #notuniverse#
I think that Johnny got mentally stronger, he put his head in order, and has the right will and mentality to do his job.
If he continues like this, he will have an excellent season.

Finally, a normal Korean guy. #notuniverse#
I think that Johnny got mentally stronger, he put his head in order, and has the right will and mentality to do his job.
If he continues like this, he will have an excellent season.

Finally, a normal Korean guy. #notuniverse#
I think that Johnny got mentally stronger, he put his head in order, and has the right will and mentality to do his job.
If he continues like this, he will have an excellent season.

Wait what? Universe is from Korea?

Originally Posted by Fapuccino

Google and Youtube are some next level shit though. That's like air at this point.

Originally Posted by Palatiga

The difference between hazard and candreva is bigger than the difference between candreva and me, and i dont even play football